Brock Purdy and the San Francisco 49ers were eliminated from the playoffs well before their Week 17 Monday Night Football matchup with the Detroit Lions. Instead, the 49ers are limping to the offseason dealing with injuries to many key players, including Christian McCaffrey, Brandon Aiyuk, and Trent Williams. Is Brock Purdy now among them?
What Did Brock Purdy Injure in Week 17?
Per Grant Gordon of NFL.com, Purdy injured his elbow late in the 49ers game against the Lions. Purdy was seen throwing a ball on the sidelines but ultimately did not return to the game. Joshua Dobbs replaced Purdy for the final 1:36 of the 49ers’ 40-34 loss.
After the game, Purdy described his right elbow, which he’s previously had surgery on, as “on fire” and “heavy.”
If you’re the type of person who would fan the flame and freak out about the worst possible scenario, Chase Senior, host of the 49ers Report, has you covered.
Per Kyle Shanahan, Brock Purdy has a nerve issue in his surgically repaired right elbow. Not good
— Chase Senior (@Chase_Senior) December 31, 2024
However, Dr. Jesse Morse, known on X for his sports injury analysis, summed up Purdy’s injury in a much more optimistic light.
Brock Purdy
Reportedly suffered an injury to a nerve in his right throwing elbow that in turn was causing pain/discomfort.
While there are multiple nerves in this area, this is likely the ulnar nerve, which is located near his previously reconstructed Tommy John Ligament.… pic.twitter.com/W05i1YqVsA
— Jesse Morse, MD (@DrJesseMorse) December 31, 2024
Purdy is expected to undergo further testing on Tuesday, but initial tests after the game revealed that his UCL is intact, and head coach Kyle Shanahan described the injury as “nerve stuff.”
Shanahan also acknowledged Purdy’s previous elbow injury, saying, “I know everyone when they hear Brock’s elbow and stuff just like me, you think of the elbow injury from a couple years ago.”
In March 2023, Purdy had Tommy John surgery — a surgery found much more often in baseball players than football players — when he previously tore his UCL, which is what prompted a lot of panic when Purdy got hurt on Monday night.
Will We See Purdy Again This Season?
Early Tuesday afternoon, 49ers ESPN Reporter Nick Wagoner reported that Shanahan said Purdy avoided a serious injury to his elbow and called it a “right elbow bruise” but that he is unlikely to play in Week 18.
Purdy said after the game that what hurt him was not being able to finish the game for his teammates and the fans. If Purdy is unable to play in Week 18, 49ers fans will have a long offseason to wait to see him again.
It’s also worth noting that Purdy will be up for what could be a massive contract extension this summer. Thus, there will be a lot of eyes on how this injury affects his potential payday.
While a bruise is not a significant injury, could it be enough to scare the 49ers away from throwing franchise QB money after several other of their key contributors went down to injuries after receiving paydays? If so, could Purdy have played his last game in San Francisco if another QB-needy team is willing to give him that money?
During San Francisco’s loss to the Lions on Monday night, there was a lot of chatter from 49ers fans wanting Purdy traded. Could a team trade for and then extend him?
Whichever scenario comes to pass, Purdy’s future will be a big NFL storyline of the 2025 offseason.